Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Method to Target and Isolate Airway-innervating Sensory Neurons in Mice
Published on: April 19, 2016
The role of nervus intermedius in side specific nasal responses
J R Nichani1, V Malik, T J Woolford
1University Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Rd, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Background:
Nervus intermedius (NI) dysfunction is common in patients who have had vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. Such patients have a unilateral parasympathetic-denervated nasal cavity. A number of side-specific nasal reflexes have been demonstrated in normal individuals, including hand cold-water immersion. It is not understood whether these reflexes have parasympathetic or sympathic efferent pathways. We aimed to evaluate the side specific nasal reflex to cold-water immersion in post-operative VS patients with NI dysfunction, in order to determine the nature of the efferent pathway of these reflexes.
Method:
Side specific responses to cold-water immersion were tested by acoustic rhinometry in 10 normal individuals and 18 patients with NI dysfunction (proven by Schirmer s test) after VS surgery.
Results:
A consistent pattern of ipsilateral congestion and contralateral decongestion after the cold-water immersion was seen in normal individuals (p smaller than 0.001). We found no consistent response in VS patients both ipsilateral and contralateral to the side of NI dysfunction.
Conclusions:
We confirm the consistent side-specific nasal reflexes to cold-water hand immersion in normal individuals. This is disturbed in patients with NI dysfunction. We have also shown unexpectantly that the contralateral side-specific reflex is disturbed in these patients. These data suggest that the reflex is parasympathetic and crosses the midline.
Related Concept Videos
Cranial Nerves: Overview and Anatomy
Cranial Part of Parasympathetic Division
The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) alone accounts for approximately 75...
Cranial Nerves: Types Part II
Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)
Cranial nerve VII, or the facial nerve,...
Cranial Nerves: Types Part I
Olfactory Nerve (Cranial Nerve I)
The olfactory nerve, or cranial nerve I, is unique as it is purely sensory and dedicated to the sense of smell. This nerve originates in the olfactory epithelium of the...
Nose and Nasal Cavity
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

